She’s been Hollywood’s de facto “hateful person”—her words, not ours—for a couple of decades, and no one is busier than comedian-actress Rachael Harris this season. The 55-year-old mom-of-two recently sat down with us the second the strike was resolved to talk upcoming projects, Botox and why she likes herself now more than ever.
Tell us about Goosebumps and your character, Nora. Was this a fun project for you?
Goosebumps was a fun and challenging series to work on. I loved it. I loved that this is an updated version that Disney+ wanted to put a new spin on. It’s not the Goosebumps you remember. It’s darker, funnier and more provocative. Nora was such an honor to play because, unlike the other parents, Nora felt compelled to reveal the truth of what she believed to be happening in their town. Against all odds and with her peers wanting to keep her quiet, she persists and will stop at nothing to protect her son and his friends from an unknown entity that seems to be haunting them.
You also star in the comedy Old Dads on Netflix. What drew you to the role of Dr. Lois Schmieckel-Turner?
I was drawn to Dr. Lois because I love playing hateful people. I like understanding and discovering ‘the why’ of what makes them behave the way they do. Every ‘bad person’ doesn’t think they’re a ‘bad person.’ At some point, they feel victimized or that they have a right to do what they are doing. I like finding the positive reasons why they do what they do. And I loved her wardrobe, honestly! Christopher Lawrence made dressing Dr. L really fun!
You’ve been doing this for a minute. What is the one piece of advice you’d give yourself when starting your career?
To truly embrace who you are and to honor and like that person. Trust your instincts, have faith in a power greater than yourself, and remember that no one is being as hard on you as yourself. And be gentle!
What’s the best thing about getting older in Hollywood?
Not taking anything personally. Nine times out of 10, it’s never about me. Perspective and patience are essential. The older I get, the more I really like myself, which makes me a better mom, friend, girlfriend, and coworker.
What are some of your all-time favorite beauty products?
Oh, I love Botox. I started at 40 and have never stopped. I love my dermatologist, Dr. Rhonda Rand. She’s conservative and does the least amount so that I look my best and can still express all my feelings without looking frozen.
We also focus a lot on skin care! I love Augustinus Bader. I’m addicted to The Essence, The Rich Cream, The Ultimate Soothing Cream, The Serum. I love Shiseido Benefiance Eye Cream, Kate Somerville Gentle Cleanse, and spray tans by Holy Tans in LA. I legitimately have very little melanin in my skin and love the glow I get from a spray tan in the spring and summer. If you can’t tone it, tan it, right?
I love Botox. I started at 40 and have never stopped.
What do you do for self-care, wellness and relaxation?
I try to work out every day. Running 20-to-30–minute sprints or intervals and lifting weights helps settle my obsessive thoughts and helps me stay present. I meditate and practice rigorous honesty with my closest friends daily. Hugging my kids and cuddling with them at night before bed makes everything right in the world, too. I share with them that I work out and run for my health and their well-being. I want to be here for them as long as possible.
Do you have any favorite in-office treatments or beauty destinations?
My favorite in-office treatment is Clear + Brilliant. It’s a skin-resurfacing treatment that takes less than an hour and improves the look of your skin within 10 to 14 days. I love it. It has no needles, it’s just a warm laser that barely stings your skin and gives beautiful results.
Do you have any funny BTS beauty moments from any of your projects?
The prosthetic makeup we wore for the final episode of Goosebumps was so intense, scary and weird-looking that we could barely do it when we were shooting serious and dramatic scenes. We kept breaking…repeatedly. We looked so insane that we could control laughing at one another, which made for longer shoot days.
What are you excited about this holiday season?
My kids are 5 and 7 years old, and seeing their faces on Christmas and the week prior is one of my favorite things ever. I’m not going to lie; I love it when the Elf on the Shelf pops out, and another set of eyes is watching my two mischievous little boys!
